asked the Secretary of State for War what was the value of tinned goods and foreign meats purchased during 1925; and what proportion of these purchases were produced in the British Empire?

The total value of tinned goods purchased during 1925 was about £73,000, of which 48 per cent. was produced in the British Empire. The total value of frozen meat purchased during the same period was about £800,000. This was entirely of Empire origin except in the case of certain local contracts, where requirements were so small that it was not practicable to ascertain the origin of the meat.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, seeing that at the Mechanical Transport Services depot at Hounslow, after a dispute with the employés during January, the War Office has given notice to introduce military personnel to displace the civilian personnel as from the 17th February, and that 240 military personnel are kept in readiness to take charge of the work now done by 207 civilian engineers, he will say what are the reasons for this change?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The number of civilians to be replaced by soldiers at the Royal Army Service Corps Heavy Repair Shop is about 100, and not 240; their places will be taken by an equal number of soldiers. The reason for the change was explained in an answer to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Kelly) on the 9th instant; it is due solely to the requirements of Army organisation, and has nothing to do with any dispute with the employés.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the claims of the League of Ex-service Pharmacists; and whether he can state the grounds on which he either approves or rejects these claims?

I have explained to the League of Ex-service Pharmacists my reasons for not accepting their proposals in a letter, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many pharmacists are serving in the Royal Air Force Medical Service; and what rank these pharmacists hold and what duties they at present perform?

The answer to the first part of the question is one. As regards the second part, the pharmacist holds the rank of warrant officer, second class, and his duties consist in the giving of instruction in dispensing and in administrative work as warrant officer in charge of the isolation section of the Royal Air Force Hospital, Halton.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the position with regard to a school which it was proposed to build at Stocksbridge, under the authority of the West Riding of Yorkshire which was estimated to cost £35,000, and for which 10 acres of land were acquired some time ago?

The final plans and estimates for this school only reached my Department on the 8th of this month and are still under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the women's colleges in Oxford and Cambridge are sufferers under the recent decision of the House of Lords in Brighton College v. Marriott; and whether the Government will introduce an amendment in the Finance Bill to relieve these and other educational institutions of the burden which is thus imposed upon them?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Sir Martin Conway) on the 11th February. I am sending her a copy of that reply, to which I am unable usefully to add anything.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will review the case of F. R. Johnstone, 3/MJ/6702 (Acton), who has been in hospital three times since his award was declared final and still suffers disability?

The case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was recently under consideration in the light of the report of a detailed medical examination following on a period during which the man was under observation in hospital as an in-patient; but I am advised that no grounds were discovered for regarding the final award as erroneous.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that C. H. Robinson, No. 11/M/377,436, late of the Rifle Brigade, 38, Cranleigh Road, Tottenham, who is unable to walk and has been receiving a pension of 100 per cent. since 1917, was boarded in August last, and his pension reduced from £3 12s. per week to 8s.; whether he has now considered this case; and, in view of the fact that Robinson is still unable to walk and cannot maintain his wife and himself upon 8s. a week, if he will hasten the decision in this case?

This case has presented very great difficulties, and it has been necessary to arrange for the man to be placed specially under observation in hospital by a distinguished specialist, and to be examined by a board containing two other eminent specialists. The report of this board is now being considered, and it hoped that a decision be notified within the next few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the sum of 2½ per cent. which is deducted from the amounts paid in compensation by the German Government to those who suffered loss during the War as the result of enemy action is retained by the British Government as commission for the collection of these amounts?

I presume that the reference is to the commission charged by the Clearing Office in respect of payments out of German assets in this country on account of awards under Article 297 (e) and Clause 4 of the Annex to Section IV of Part X of the Treaty of Versailles. The commission is charged pursuant to paragraph I (vi) of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, and is employed in defraying the expenses of the Clearing Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of public companies, particularly those where the directors are also managers of the company, include in their articles an absolute power for the directors to refuse to register a transfer, with the result that the shareholder who wishes to dispose of his share is compelled to do so to a person who is acceptable to the board and sometimes to their nominee at a price which has no relation to the real value of the shares; and whether he will instruct the Committee which is considering the question of Company Law to give this matter their consideration?

I am informed that the matter referred to in this question has already been brought to the attention of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that public limited companies are at present in a position to issue balance-sheets containing very little information which is of value to their shareholders in ascertaining the real position of the company and the consequent value of the shares held by them; and whether he will submit to the Committee now sitting on Company Law the desirability of compelling public companies to give further information in their balance-sheet?

I am informed that the matters referred to in this question have already been brought to the attention of the. Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether at the forthcoming investigation into the loss of the steamship "Elsdon," which sailed from Immingham on 18th December, 1925, bound for Odense with a cargo of coal, and has not since been heard of, he will consider the advisability, having regard to the losses amongst coal-carrying steamers, of appointing on the Court of Inquiry assessors who have had experience in this class of vessel?

The suggestion that the nautical assessors investigating a shipping casualty should themselves have served on vessels of the particular class before the Court is not one that can be invariably adopted. The nautical assessors in the case of the steamship "Elsdon" will be experienced shipmasters, and all necessary evidence will be laid before the Court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what funds have been advanced to the British sugar beet industry as a whole, and what proportion of the total capital in the industry has been found by the Government;(2) what proportion of the whole of the capital advanced by the Government under the Trade Facilities Act for the encouragement of sugar beet factories has been advanced to the Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation, Limited (First and Second); and what the Government's interest in the corporations amounts to?

I have been asked to answer these two questions.I have no information as to the total capital invested in the British sugar beet industry. The State does not make advances to the beet sugar industry. Its assistance is given (

asked the Secretary for Mines why the prosecution was withdrawn in the Maltby colliery explosion case (Wing v. Pickering), in view of the fact that the Divisional Court directed a conviction on the facts found?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Grundy) on the 16th December, my predecessor, in instituting this prosecution, expressly informed the Mining Association and Miners' Federation that he did so solely in order to obtain an authoritative statement of the law and not on the ground that, in his opinion, criminal prosecution was required in respect of anything done or omitted to be done. That object having been achieved, I felt bound, so far as the matter lay within my discretion, to honour this understanding, and to give my consent to the summonses being withdrawn.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of man-shifts worked in the mining industry of this country for the six months ending 31st December, 1925, giving each month separately?

The information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that officials engaged in collecting revenue in the form of Income Tax are threatening proceedings against taxpayers in cases where the Inland Revenue authorities owe the taxpayer by way of refund much more money than the amount demanded; and whether he will give instructions that no proceedings shall be taken in such cases?

If on payment of any Inland Revenue tax becoming due the taxpayer can establish a title to repayment from that Department, the Board of Inland Revenue would consider a request that the tax due, or an appropriate part thereof, should be satisfied out of the amount repayable. If my hon. Friend has any case of this character in mind, I shall be pleased to bring it to the notice of the Inland Revenue on his giving me the necessary particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the appreciation in the value of the pound sterling, it is proposed to take any action to reduce the value of British War Loan and other Government stock to the actual value of money at the time subscriptions were received?

As I have said before, His Majesty's Government has no intention of repudiating the contractual obligations of the State to its bondholders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that motor cars of 1913 pattern are allowed a rebate of one-fourth annually from their motor licences, he will now extend the same rebate to 1914 and 1915 pattern cars; and whether he will in future arrange for all Gals over 10 years old to obtain this rebate on their motor licences?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot recommend any alteration of the provision in the Second Schedule of the Finance Act, 1920, whereby a rebate of 25 per cent. of the licence duty is allowed in respect of motor cars taxed on the horse-power basis, fitted with engines constructed before the 1st January, 1913. The rebate was granted not on the ground of the age of the engine as such, but because at that time there was a general change in the trend of motorcar engine design, and engines were constructed to develop much greater actual horsepower than that arrived at under the Treasury formula for taxation purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to a resolution by the National Chamber of Trade, in June last, urging that, in view of the many financial demands made upon the business community during the month of January, the date for payment of the annual tax in respect of registration of motor vehicles or Road Fund licences, should be changed to May or June; and whether he is prepared to transfer the date for payment accordingly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The terminal date of the annual motor vehicle licence has been considered from time to time. If any change were made, May or June would not be satisfactory terminal dates, as Easter would then fall towards the end of the licensing year. A better date would be 31st October, when many vehicles are laid up for the winter. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, however, I am of opinion that the balance of advantage is on the side of keeping the licensing year coincident with the calendar year as at present.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total amount of the assets of the Road Fund, as specified in the cash balance sheet appended to the annual Report on the administration of the Road Fund, at the present time or at the latest date for which the information is available?

A statement in the form which the hon. Member desires is given below, and shows the position at the Slat December, 1925:

asked the Minister of Transport whether the terms of the contract issued to Messrs. Griffiths for the making of the Maidstone-Folkestone road stipulate that shelters, latrines, and a supply of drinking water shall be furnished for the men engaged on this work; and, if so, how far has this stipulation been fulfilled?

The answer to the first part of the question is in affirmative. As regards the last part, I have no reason to think that the contractors have failed to carry out in a reasonable manner the terms of their contract with the county council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the important issues raised, the Government will oppose piecemeal private legislation on transport until the general principles governing transportation in the country are placed on an accepted basis?

I am not sure that I fully appreciate the exact meaning of my hon. Friend's question. I am, however, sending him a copy of the answer which I gave last Tuesday to a somewhat similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Chester (Sir C. Cayzer).

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to reintroduce the Lead Paints Protection Bill this Session?

I hope to reintroduce this Bill very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give the names and addresses of all those brick works, quarries, and mines in the Wadsley Bridge area, where, in the course of 1924, 647 workers have been examined for silicosis under the Refractories Industries Scheme?

The works referred to are as follow:Oughtibridge Silica Firebrick Company, Limited, Deepcar.—Beeley Wood Mine, Oughtibridge; Stubbin Mine, Worrrall.Armitage Works Company, Limited, Deepcar.—Deepcar and Henholmes Mine, Deepcar.Charles Bramall, Oughtibridge.—Caledonia Works, Worrall; Hagg Stone Mine, Loxley; Myers Lane Mine, Loxley; Myers Lane Quarry, Loxley.A. Crossland, Boisterstone.—Townend Mine, Deepcar.J. Grayson Lowood, Limited, Deepcar.—Woodend Mine, Wharncliffe Quarry.Gregory, Reddish and Company, Limited, Deepcar.Pickford Holland and Company, Limited, Loxley.Levi Cotterrill, Malin Bridge, Sheffield. Broadhead Mine, Stannington.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will cause instructions to be issued to the institutions under the control of his Department that where the inmates are fed at the expense of the public preference shall be given to home-grown wheat and other produce?

As regards prisons, Borstal institutions, and Broadmoor criminal lunatic asylum, all forms of tenders are couched in terms to admit of home-grown produce being supplied and wherever possible preference is given to such produce, or alternatively to produce of the Empire.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average net cost per person relieved in the Poor Law unions of Birmingham, Brighton, Canterbury, Great Yarmouth, Halstead, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Southampton, and West Ham for the year ending March, 1924?

Taking the net cost of Poor Law relief falling on local rates during the year mentioned and the average number of persons in receipt of relief on any one day, annual Dost per person was as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what additional charge it is estimated would be thrown on the Exchequer by the inclusion within the scope of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act of all existing widows of insured persons, irrespective of whether or no they have dependent children?

It is estimated that the additional charge which would have been thrown on the Exchequer by the inclusion of all existing widows of insured persons, irrespective of whether or no they have dependent children, would have amounted to £14,000,000 for the year 1926–27.

asked the Postmaster-General the present position in regard to the Imperial wireless chain; and what have been the results of the tests made from the Imperial wireless station at Rugby?

The contractors hope to complete the Bodmin and Bridgwater stations, which are to be used for the Canadian and South African services, early in April, and the Grimsby and Skegness stations, which are to be used for the Indian and Australian services, in August next. The corresponding stations in the Dominions and India will, it is understood, be completed about the same time as the English stations. The tests of the Rugby station show that it can be received in all parts of the world. The station has been used regularly for the Official Wireless, News Service since the 1st January and for the transmission of long-distance radiotelegrams to ships since the 31st January. Owing to its world-wide range, messages can be sent from Rugby to ships at any point on the high seas, however remote; and considerable use is being made of the new facilities thus afforded. The question of operating other services from Rugby is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the Report of the Development Commission for the year ended 31st March, 1925, page 169, under Part I, £78,773 out of a total expenditure of £314,628 has been allocated to the Irish Free State; whether this results from liabilities incurred through the Development and Road Improvement Funds Acts of 1909 and 1910; and, if so, whether this is a final allocation, or if further large sums are to be granted to the Irish Free State under those Acts?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The allocation was in final apportionment to the Irish Free State of its share of the Development Fund under Article 12 of the Provisional Government (Transfer of Functions) Order in Council of 1st April, 1922, and no further sums will be granted to the Free State from the Fund under the Development and Road Improvement. Funds Acts of 1909 and 1910.